The Best Ways to Treat Dry, Cracked Heels in the Winter, According to Dermatologists

Jenna Ryu
·7 min read

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Taking care of dry, cracked heels may not be the first thing on everyone’s skin care to-do list. Sure, they’re a little unsightly, but who would really notice besides your pedicurist? Even if the look and feel don’t bother you, though, there are actually a few reasons this common foot problem is worth the extra attention, according to Ray Kleinfelder, DO, Los Angeles–based dermatologist at Lux Dermatology.

For the most part, a little dehydration on your soles isn’t unusual. “The skin here is naturally thicker, as it withstands the most wear and tear from being on your feet all day,” Dr. Kleinfelder tells SELF. To get more technical, your body overproduces keratin (the protein that forms the hard, outer layer of skin) in response to stressors like frequent walking, standing, and certain medical issues (more on that later). While this thickened buildup is meant to be protective, it’s also more prone to drying out and cracking over time, he explains, since there also aren’t many oil glands here to retain moisture.

In some severe cases, those cracks (called heel fissures) can get deeper when left untreated, eventually making it painful to stand or walk and increasing your risk for infection. That’s why it’s so important to tackle the issue early on—and the good news? There are plenty of simple over-the-counter remedies you can try to get your feet feeling extra smooth and soft.

But first, what causes dry, cracked heels?

A lot of it comes down to environmental factors and lifestyle habits, Supriya Rastogi, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, tells SELF. For example, if you’re standing or walking for long periods of time (as a nurse, say, construction worker, or runner), the skin here can thicken into calluses, Dr. Rastogi explains, and therefore have a harder time holding onto moisture. Living in a cold or dry climate can also leave your body—feet included—extra parched and crumbly.

In these types of scenarios, dry skin can typically be relieved with simple home remedies (which we’ll get into). But sometimes, heel cracks or peeling layers can be symptoms of an underlying condition that would require a professional’s help. For instance, metabolic disorders like diabetes can mess with your body’s ability to regulate sweat and therefore moisture, Dr. Kleinfelder says. Extra flaky, tough skin might also signal psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder that triggers keratin overproduction (resulting in scaly and more inflamed lesions) or eczema (especially if your symptoms are paired with relentless itchiness). With both of these skin diagnoses, though, Dr. Rastogi says you’d likely notice flare-ups in other spots too, like the palms of your hand and between your fingers.

Other lesser-known but possible culprits include fungal infections like athlete’s foot, which Dr. Kleinfelder says involve dryness (often between toes) along with a hard-to-miss, unpleasant odor. (For this, a podiatrist would be your best bet for offering more specialized treatments.) Another medical condition to be aware of is Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that can cause dryness and flaking. However, Dr. Kleinfelder points out that it “tends to manifest as dry mouth and eyes”—rather than being a primary cause of dry feet.

What home remedies can help with cracked heels?

Assuming you’re not dealing with any of the above diagnoses (if you’re unsure, a dermatologist, podiatrist, pedicurist, or primary care provider can weigh in), here are some expert-approved remedies and tweaks that should relieve run-of-the-mill foot dryness.

1. Scrub away rough, flaky edges with a pumice stone.

Whatever you do, don’t forcibly rip the peeling chunks yourself. Doing so, Dr. Rastogi says, could risk injuring the healthy, sensitive skin underneath, leading to more pain, bleeding, or even infection. Instead, it’s safer to use treatments that will soften and exfoliate the hard skin—this is where pumice stones come into play. Basically it’s a light yet abrasive stone that’s commonly used to remove dead skin without damaging it.

To make sure you’re buffing away effectively and safely, Dr. Rastogi recommends first soaking your feet in warm water for 10–15 minutes. Once they’re damp (not soaking wet), gently rub the stone in a circular motion over your heels to slough the crusty bits off. Again, don’t go overboard with the scrubbing: “Only do this one or two times a week,” she adds, cautioning that this method might be too harsh for super deep, painful splits.

2. Find an exfoliating cream that’s both effective and soothing.

There are other ways to buff away flakes without the manual scrubbing: enter chemical exfoliants. Unlike physical exfoliants, these work by loosening the bonds between your dead skin cells, so they can gently be peeled away. And luckily, there are tons of body and foot creams packed with these effective actives.

If you’re not into the pumice stone method—or you’re looking for an extra thorough scrub—both derms recommend using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as lactic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid. They should be gentle enough to pair together—and can even be applied before physical exfoliation to really loosen up peeling, dead skin. Another standout ingredient is urea. “It holds onto moisture, therefore preventing water loss,” Dr. Kleinfelder explains. “However, it’s also a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down overly thick skin.” That way, your rough and weathered heels will be healed and hydrated.

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AmLactin Foot Repair Cream

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O'Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Jar

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3. Coat your feet with a layer of your thickest, richest balm.

On top of exfoliating, both experts recommend applying a separate moisturizer afterward—specifically, a heavy duty one. Research shows that humectants (to pull in water) paired with occlusives (to lock it in) work best for the cracked skin on your soles in particular, so look out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, panthenol, and petroleum jelly.

We get that walking around with a slimy residue isn’t exactly comfortable, though, which is why Dr. Kleinfelder suggests applying these balms at night, right before settling into bed. You can also cover your feet with saran wrap, or just wear socks, to prevent everything from rubbing off.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

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Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

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4. Reevaluate your shoe lineup too.

Both experts agree: Even little tweaks, like being more selective with your footwear, can make a noticeable difference—or at the very least, keep your symptoms from getting worse. “Flip-flops, sandals, and other tight or open-back shoes that expose the heels to dry air can increase friction and therefore worsen cracking,” Dr. Rastogi says.

Instead, she recommends switching to more cushioned, supportive closed-back pairs, which can help evenly distribute the weight placed on your feet (think comfy sneakers, orthopedic sandals, and breathable loafers). Combining them with moisture-wicking cotton socks can also go a long way in “preventing irritation while also keeping your feet comfortable,” she adds.

If these tricks don’t cut it or things start getting worse, don’t hesitate to see a pro. It’s their job to figure out what’s going on, and they'll know the best way to deal with your scaly patches without causing more pain. Even for run-of-the-mill dryness, though, having a solid foot care routine in place can save you from experiencing bigger problems down the line—and luckily, you’ve now got plenty of options to keep your feet happy.

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Originally Appeared on Self

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